Wire drawing machine



June 30, 1936. I s. H. RICHARDS WIRE DRAWING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1954Y s Sheets-Sheet 1 F/GJ. 4 5b 9 5a. 36

V/A/ENTOB SAMUfL fi/c/wmos Arman/Em June 30, 1936. s. H. RICHARDS 12,045,726

WIRE DRAWING MACHINE I Filed Jan. 5, 1954 s sheets-sheet 2' FIG-.5.

, INVENIOI? 43 SAMUEL file/amps June 30, 1936. s. H. RICHARDSWIRE'DRAWING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYSSamuel Hugh Richards, Harpenden, England Application .ll'anuary 5, 1934,Serial No. $053M hm Great Britain January 5, 1933 c ims. (on. ace-1s)This invention relates to wire drawing machines and has for its objectto provide an improved arrangement of the dies and associated parts insuch machines which shall facilitate the operations of threading thedies and also enable a simpler construction of die box to be utilized.

In wire drawing machines as previously constructed the stepped pulleyshave been rotated in the same direction as each other and either one setof dies has been employed, disposed on one side of the plane containingthe axes of the two pulleys, or two sets of dies have been employed,disposed one on each side of the said plane.

When two sets of dies are employed the two die boxes are, in virtue ofthe position which they must occupy with relation to the stepped drawingpulleys, disposed comparatively closely one above the other and greatdificulty is experienced in threading the dies of each boxsatisfactorily.

According. to this invention, therefore, there is provided a wiredrawing machine which is primarily characterized by the fact that thestepped drawing pulleys of each wire-drawing unit are driven in oppositedirections, the adjacent runs of the wire extending between the pulleyscrossing each other at points disposed approximately midway between thelatter. 7

By this means it is possible to arrange two sets of dies in one die boxand the invention also consists in such an arrangement and in otherfeatures of construction which will appear from the followingdescription of one way in which the invention may be carried intoefiect, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein: v

Figure 1 is a plan view of the drawing pulleys of a twelve draftwire-drawing unit according to this invention, showing the dies anddie-holders and their associated parts,

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic end elevation thereof, the dies and the likebeing omitted,

Fig. 3 is a detafl, fragmentary perspective view of a portion of'the dieholder,

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation thereof,

Fig. 5 is a. fragmentary end elevation, partly in section, showinglubricant supply means,

Fig. 6 is a corresponding plan view, partly in section,

Fig. 7 is a detail view, in sectional side elevation, of means forreciprocating the die holder, and

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view thereof.

The twelve draft wire-drawing unit shown comprises two drawing pulleys Iand 2 each having six steps (see Figs. 1 and 2) and mounted at asuitable distance apart. The stepped pulleys I and 2 are driven inopposite directions by suitable means die 50.

(not shown) at the requisite speeds and theruns of 'wire extendingtherebetween are so passed around the pulleys (see Fig. 2 that theadjacent runs cross each other approximately on a line parallel with theaxes of the pul eys and midway s between same. M

The wire 3 to be drawn enters the unit, in the usual way, over a guidepulley t and passes upwardly through the first die 5a. to the step to ofsmallest diameter on the first drawing pulley 2, 10 passing around thisand leaving the underside thereof to pass upwardly to the second die 5b.From this the wire passes around the smallest step ta of the seconddrawing pulley l and leaves the underside thereof to pass upwardly tothe third From this the wire passes around the second smallest step 2bof the first pulley 2to pass upwardly through the fourthdie Set to thesecond smallest step ib of the second pulley i and so on until the runto. of the wire leaving the underside of the largest step if on thesecond pulley i is reached.

As will be understood this run to may either be passed over a guidepulley t to a further drawing unit or units or spooled, dependent on thegauge es of wire which is to be produced.

Owing to the arrangement above described the dies of each set, i. e.that set 51), 5d, 5 572, hi, and 52 through which the wire passesupwardly from the first drawing pulley"? and that set 5m, to, tie, 5g,52 and 57a, through which the wire passes upwardly from the seconddrawing pulley i, are disposed at substantially the same level, the twosets being disposed on opposite sides of the vertical plane containingthe points of intersection of the adjacent runs of the wire.

Due to the arrangement shown and described, it

, is not necessary to relatively step or vertically offset the dies ofeither set correspondingly with the steps of the pulleys, and not onlyis manufacture therefore facilitated, but a stronger and more rigidmachine may be produced, and one which may be more easily threaded.

Hence a single die box is provided to carry both sets of dies, referredto generally as the dies 5, for convenience of description, and theconstruetion of this box is preferably as follows:

Each die 5 is mounted in a block 7 formed with a spindle-like extension8 which is of larger diameter adjacent the block than it is over therest of its length and this portion of larger. diameter isscrew-threaded at (Fig. 4:) to be capable of being threadedly engaged ina bearing boss 9a formed on one end of a pipe clip 9, the other end ofthe pipe clip 9 carrying a second 5 bearing boss 9b which is bored toreceive the narrower portion of the extension 8.

The latter projects beyond the said second boss 91) and isscrew-threaded at 8b to receive a nut I which serves simultaneously tolock the die block I in any desired position of angular adjustmentattained by screwing the spindle 8 linto or out of the first boss So. onthe pipe clip 9 and also to tighten the latter on to a tubular member II serving to carry the two sets of dies 5.

This tubular member II is arranged between the drawing pulleys I and 2,parallel with the axes thereof, and the dies of each set are disposedthereon in the manner above indicated by means of the pipe clips 9, itbeing possible to adjust each die separately to the correct position, byshifting the clip 9 both longitudinally and circumferentially of thetubular member II and by screwing the spindle 8 into or out of the firstboss So on the clip, this latter operation serving to adjust both theheight and angular position of the die with respect to the path of thewire reach which it is to engage.

In order to lubricate the runs of wire as they enter the dies it ispreferred to utilize the tubular member I I as a lubricant conduit, theone end thereof being closed and the other being connected to a supplyof lubricant as by a rightangle bend I2 (Fig. 8) and a flexible tube I3(Fi 5).

When very fine wires are being drawn it is necessary to prevent anylubricant adhering .to the surfaces of the drawing pulleys and to thisend the lubricant is only supplied to the runs of wire as they enter thedies which latter act to remove all lubricant from the wires as the passtherethrough.

For this purpose the end of the flexible tube I3 connecting the tubularmember II to the supply of lubricant is preferably arranged to open intothe lower end of a tank or container I4 (Figs. 5 and 6) to which thelubricant is supplied by suitablemeans, such as a pump I5 having itsinlet pipe I6 regulatable by a cock I1, and a suitable head of lubricantis maintained in the tank, by any known means such as an overflow pipeI8, above the level of the uppermost portion of the outer surface of thetubular member II, the latter being pierced with holes Ila at intervalsalong its length (see Figs. 3, 4 and 6) so that one hole is disposedbeneath each run of the wire.

Due to the head of lubricant in the tank I4 the lubricant issues fromeach of the holes Ila in the tubular member I I in the form of anupwardly directed fount (indicated at I II) in Fig. 5), through thetipof which the corresponding run of wire is arranged to pass. Toprovide clearance for these founts of lubricant the pipe clips 9 areformed with circumferentially elongated apertures I9 at suitable pointsso that the holes Na in the tubular member II are never obstructed bythe clips no matter what the position of adjustment thereof.

The lubricant flowing downwardly around the exterior of the tubularmember I I drips into a gutter or trough 20 disposed longitudinallybeneath the latter and is conducted thereby to a pipe or conduit 2Ileading to a sump 22 from which the lubricant is again returned to thetank I4 by means of the pump I5.

When the dies 5 are to be reciprocated to prevent grooving of thedrawing pulleys I and 2 by hard wires it is preferred to reciprocate thewhole unit comprising the tubular member II and the dies 5.

Means for producing this reciprocation are shown in Figs. 7 and 8, where23 is a heartshaped cam mounted on a shaft 24 adapted to be driven fromsome suitable part of the wiredrawing machine proper to oscillate atwo-armed lever 25, 25a, the arm 25 of which carries a roller 26 bearingon the periphery of the cam 23. The arm 25a of the two-armed lever isformed with a screw-threaded aperture in which is engaged an adjustablescrew 21 adapted to be locked in any position of adjustment by means ofa locknut 28 and formed at its inner end, adjacent the tubular memberII, with a nose or pin-like extension 21a. adapted to be received in aconical recess 29 formed in the end of a thrust-rod 30 of which theother end is similarly formed with a conical recess 3I taking over a pin32 projecting from the rear face of a plate member 33 secured on thecorresponding end of the tubular member I I.

Said plate member 33 extends laterally from the tubular member II tocarry a guide pin 34 adapted to slide longitudinally in the aperture ofa guiding boss or bearing 35 on the stationary plate 36 of the machine,the tubular member II also being slidable longitudinally through a bossor hearing 31 on said plate.

The parts 29, 30 and 3I are maintained in engagement by means of aspiral tension spring 38 connected between the plate member 33 and theupper arm 25a of the two-armed lever 25, 25a, and the return motion ofthe tubular member II is ensured by means of a tension spring 39connected between a pin 40 projecting from the right-angle bend I2 onthe end of said member II and a pin 4| mounted on the framing portion 42of the machine.

It will be seen that the rotation of the cam 23 produces longitudinalreciprocation of the tubular member II, and hence of the dies 5 mountedthereon, and that adjustment of the screw 21 causes bodily displacementof the shaft II along its line of reciprocation to cause it toreciprocate in a different zone, and therefore, enables the path throughwhich the dies reciprocate to be displaced axially as a whole relativelyto the drawing pulleys I and 2. The heart shape of the cam prevents thewire from dwelling at each end of the path on which it is reciprocatedthrough the instrumentality of said cam. Heretofore, such dwelling hasexisted resulting in grooving of the drawing pulleys.

The sizes of the holes II a in the tubular member II are preferably suchthat a substantially uniform height of the founts of lubricant isensured, in spite of the friction between the lubricant and the innerwall of the tubular member through which it flows.

In machines intended to draw wires of comparatively heavy gauge,however, it is usual to provide a copious flow of lubricant which isallowed to reach the drawing pulleys I and 2 and fills the whole of thespace containing the drawing unit with fine spray when the pulleys arerevolving, it being understood that this space is provided with aliquid-tight cover when the machine is in operation.

For such machines, when constructed in accordance with this invention,the lubrication is preferably again effected by means of the tubularmember as indicated above, the open end of the said member being, inthis case, supplied with lubricant under pressure by suitable means andthe holes formed in the upper portion thereof being adapted to directjets of lubricant directly into mouths of the dies.

The lubricant tank and the gutter or trough are dispensed with and theexcess lubricant may be allowed to'collect in a sump in the spacecontaining the drawing unit, from which it is or may be returned by apump to the tubular member.

If desired, supplementary apertures may be formed laterally of thetubular member for directing additional jets of lubricant directly onthe revolving drawing pulleys.

When threading up the dies the pressure of the lubricant is preferablyreduced, for example, by means of a valve-controlled by-pass.

It will readily be understood that the die box may be reciprocatedlongitudinally in this form of the invention also, if required.

Owing to the arrangement of the dies 5 in a die box comprising a tubularmember it which is straight and horizontally disposed, the outer end ofthe said die box may be provided with a suitable bearing &3 (Fig. 6) toprevent vibration or whipping of the die box and this hearing may, ofcourse, be suitably arranged to allow of the requisite longitudinalreciprocation of the die box when required.

I claim:-

1. In a wire-drawing machine, a plurality of dies for wire reaches, atubular shaft carrying said dies and having perforations for dischargingoil onto said reaches, a rigidly mounted trough under said shaft toreceive the oil discharged through said perforations, said trough havingbearings at its ends in which said shaft is mounted, and means forfeeding oil into said shaft and for returning the oil from said troughinto said shaft.

2. In a wire drawing machine, drawing pulleys on parallel axes, drawingdies, a support to which said dies are secured, said support beingmounted for reciprocation on a line'parallel with the pulley axes, andreciprocating means for said support including a thrust device engagingsaid die support and adjustable to bodily displace said die supportalong its line of reciprocation to cause said support to reciprocate ina different zone, thereby causing engagement of the. wire with differentportions of the pulleys when desirable.

3. In a wire drawing machine, drawing pulleys on parallel axes, drawingdies, 9. support to which said dies are secured, said support beingmounted for reciprocation on a line parallel with the pulley axes, andreciprocating means for said support including a thrust rod having oneend engaged with said support, a lever having an adjusting screw engagedwith the other end of said thrust rod, and a cam for oscillating saidlever to reciprocate said thrust rod and die support, said adjustingscrew being substantially in alignment with said thrust rod and beingoperative to bodily displace said die support along its line ofreciprocation to cause said support to reciprocate in a different zone,thereby causing engagement of the wire with different portions of thepulleys when desirable.

4. In a wire drawing machine, a die block having a spindle, acylindrical support at right angles to said spindle, a clip surroundingsaid support and turnable circumferentially thereon, said clip havingbearing means in which said spindle is received for turning about itslongitudinal axis, and means for normally holding said clip againstturning on said support and said spindle against turning in said bearingmeans.

5. In a wire drawing machine, a cylindrical support, a transverselysplit clip surrounding said support and turnable circumferentiallythereon, the ends of said clip being provided with lateral bosses, saidbosses having aligned bearing openings, a die block having a spindlepassing through said openings and capable of lengthwise and turningadjustment therein, and means for normally holding said spindle againstmovement in said openings and for holding said clip tightly contractedupon said support.

6. In a wire drawing machine, two stepped 0ppositely rotatable drawingpulleys between which the wire extends in crossed reaches, an elongatedcylindrical support parallel with the pulley axes and disposed near thecrossing points of the wire reaches, clips adjustably mounted on saidsupport for turning adjustment circumferentially of the same and foradjustment longitudinally thereof, and die-supporting spindlesadjustably mounted on said clips and disposed at right angles to thelength of said support, said spindles being adjustable in the directionsof their lengths and being turnably adjustable about their longitudinalaxes, and means for holding said clips and said spindles in adjustedpositions.

SAMUEL HUGH RICHARDS.

